Overreaction: Cam Newton will eschew fashion, dress boring

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Cam Newton should start wearing khakis and a navy blue blazer on team flights.

The reigning NFL MVP was benched to start Carolina's loss at Seattle because of a dress code violation. Derek Anderson was under center for the first play and threw an interception .

Newton returned for the next series, but the defending NFC champion Panthers (4-8) were blown out by the Seahawks (8-3-1).

Newton is known for his colorful, stylish wardrobe, but he was punished by coach Ron Rivera for failing to wear a tie on the trip to Seattle.

The best way for Newton to avoid any future violations is to ignore fashion and dress boring.

Here are other overreactions following Week 13:

OVERREACTION: Tom Brady and the Patriots don't miss Rob Gronkowski. They had 402 total yards in a 26-10 win against the Rams.

REALISTIC REACTION: They were 4 for 16 on third down. It didn't matter against the Rams (4-8), but that can hurt them in the playoffs.

___

OVERREACTION: Dan Quinn's decision to go for the 2-point conversion was a bonehead call that cost the Falcons a win against the Chiefs.

REALISTIC REACTION: Every coach would try to extend a 1-point lead to three late in the fourth quarter.

___

OVERREACTION: The Pack is back. Aaron Rodgers will lead Green Bay (6-6) to a division title.

REALISTIC REACTION: They still trail the Lions (8-4) by two games with four left.

___

OVERREACTION: Doug Pederson is on the hot seat in Philadelphia after going 2-7 following a 3-0 start.

REALISTIC REACTION: The Eagles are regressing in a rebuilding year but owner Jeffrey Lurie won't pull the plug on Pederson after one season with a rookie quarterback.

___

OVERREACTION: Baltimore (7-5) proved it is the team to beat in the AFC North with a dominant 38-6 win over Miami.

REALISTIC REACTION: The Steelers (7-5) had an impressive win over the Giants (8-4).

___

OVERREACTION: Paxton Lynch can't lead the Broncos to wins against good teams.

REALISTIC REACTION: With that defense, Lynch doesn't have to do much. Neither does Trevor Siemian when he's healthy enough to play.

___

OVERREACTION: Snow cost the Texans a win at Green Bay.

REALISTIC REACTION: Perfect field conditions wouldn't have helped that offense.

___

OVERREACTION: Jordan Howard is another reason why teams shouldn't pick running backs on the first two days of the NFL draft. He was a fifth-round steal for the Bears.

REALISTIC REACTION: Tell that to the Cowboys. Ezekiel Elliott is an MVP candidate.

___

OVERREACTION: Don't count the Cardinals (5-6-1) out of the playoff race.

REALISTIC REACTION: Nice win over the Redskins (6-5-1) but Arizona still trails four teams for the second NFC wild card.

___

OVERREACTION: The Chiefs-Raiders matchup Thursday night is an AFC championship preview.

REALISTIC REACTION: Remember the Patriots?

___

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

___

Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_RobMaaddi